Novices vie for Public Service Commission

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 12:13 AM

BATON ROUGE — While two candidates in the local Public Service Commission race have experience in the highest reaches of state government, the remaining three are relatively new to regional politics, and all contend they're offering voters an alternative.

Jeremy AlfordCapitol Correspondent

(Third and final in a series.)

BATON ROUGE — While two candidates in the local Public Service Commission race have experience in the highest reaches of state government, the remaining three are relatively new to regional politics, and all contend they're offering voters an alternative. The PSC, which has an open vacancy in the 2nd District, is an independent agency charged with regulating public utilities and motor carriers.The local district encompasses all or part of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.

After 16 years of service, the local seat is being left vacant by Jimmy Field, a Baton Rouge Republican.Among those hoping to replace him is Greg Gaubert, 48, a local businessman who is the operating partner of the Carmel Inn and Suites in Thibodaux. He said his experiences rebuilding an electrical infrastructure company following Hurricane Katrina and dealing with the railroad industry makes him perfectly suited for the job. Gaubert, who lives in Thibodaux, said he has also dealt with international and domestic regulators. If he's elected, he said one of his top priorities would be to make sure that utility overpayments end up going back to consumers. Gaubert, an independent, said he also wants to offer a fresh perspective and an alternative to candidates who might be using the PSC as a political stepping stone. "It's a circle of politics I'm tired of seeing," he said.He said he wants to build upon alternative energy production, like the systems being implemented by self-sustainable chemical plants around the state, which could help "eliminate the power Entergy holds over consumers." He added he likewise is interested in investigating the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, or MISO, which is charged with monitoring the high voltage transmission system in Midwestern states. "It controls the transmissions of 13 states," Gaubert said. "If it goes, everything goes. We need to make sure there are safeguards in place." Sarah Holliday, 49, has a background in criminal justice counseling adults and youth.She's a Republican activist who has run unsuccessfully for office before in her hometown of Baton Rouge.While she said her focus will be on protecting consumers, Holliday added that "balancing the values of stakeholders" is crucial for Louisiana's development. "As a member of the Public Service Commission, I will fight to protect Louisiana energy from overburdening federal regulations and work to ensure low-cost energy for all of Louisiana, making our economy stronger and new and better jobs available," said Holliday. She also said she wants to add some "honesty and integrity" to the political process, which is being undermined by politicians and their donors. "We keep getting screwed by the same people," she said.

At the end of the day, however, Holliday said she will work around the clock to lower rates. "The impact of high energy bills on Louisiana's families and businesses will be the critical issue in this race," she said. "The budget of every household and the bottom line of every business are directly impacted by each decision, good or bad, made by the Public Service Commission. Protecting Louisiana's taxpayers must remain my forethought."Forest Wright, 35, is an energy policy consultant who owns a business incubator that rents office space to sustainable energy companies and nonprofits. A New Orleans resident, Wright served as the regulatory affairs director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, an advocacy group that lobbies the PSC and other government bodies, for six years. "The reason I am running is because I have a passion for utility regulation," Wright said.He said lowering the cost of energy bills for consumers would be his first order of business if elected to the PSC."The impact of high energy bills on Louisiana's families and businesses will be the critical issue in this race," Wright said. "The budget of every household and the bottom line of every business is directly impacted by all decisions, good or bad, made by the Public Service Commission. With years of direct experience and a clear vision for our energy future, I know what it takes to lower energy bills for everyone in Louisiana." Among the three, Wright is the furthest along in terms of fundraising — thanks to a $10,000 personal loan — and he hit the airwaves last week with a new television commercial. He said he is also the most experienced, having lobbied and followed the PSC for the past several years. For example, Wright said he was on the team that convinced the PSC to adopt a "game-changing rule" that will take effect next year. "It will require utility companies to take the planning on how they will meet our energy needs from behind closed doors so we can see the alternatives," he said. "They will have to show that they are asking for the most affordable and least risky projects." Also on the Nov. 6 ballot are Republican Scott Angelle of Breaux Bridge, most recently the state's natural resources secretary, and state Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge. A runoff, if needed, is scheduled for Dec. 8.

Jeremy Alford can be reached at jeremy@jeremyalford.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.